Crosby United Under-7s are a youth team from Scunthorpe, and their coach Kevin Lake has decided to do something a little bit different to raise awareness and spread the word about testicular cancer, which is the most common type of cancer for men aged between 15 and 45.

Kevin recently featured in local news and told his story of being "keeled over in pain" before being diagnosed with testicular cancer. He is now aiming to spread awareness of the disease and get people talking - with the help of a brand new, brightly coloured football kit in pink and blue for his team.

On Saturday 22nd April, the Crosby Under 7s played in their new kit, which was designed by OddBalls, a clothing company whose sales go to testicular cancer charities and funds activities and events to raise awareness.

Dad-of-three Kevin was diagnosed with testicular cancer last October after experiencing intense pain in his stomach and groin. Shortly before Christmas, he underwent a orchidectomy - the removal of one of his testicles - and now aims to encourage other men to beat the stigma and get themselves checked.

He told Scunthorpe Live: "In October last year I started developing a few pains in my stomach and down below and around the same time, there was a big push with the NHS to get yourself checked out, so I ended up booking in and having an appointment with my doctor.”

“Eventually I was referred for an ultrasound scan and they found a lump on one of my testicles. I did have to go back two or three times, I was told it was normal to have these pains, but I didn't take no for an answer, and I got three different courses of antibiotics.”

"But I pushed it with my doctor saying, 'Come on, this isn't normal'. I was doing things like putting the rubbish out and I'd keel over in pain." 

Kevin had several scans and blood tests - but was in so much pain as he waited for the results that he keeled over in pain whilst on a stag do. 

"Between October and December, while I was waiting for the results of the scans and blood tests, I ended up in A&E a couple of times with intense pain. I ended up in Doncaster one time because I was on a stag do and I keeled over in pain, I got bundled into a taxi and sent to hospital," he said. 

In December, Kevin was told that his hCG levels for tumours were high, and underwent the orchidectomy at Goole & District Hospital shortly before Christmas.

"Christmas was a bit difficult because I spent the first few days after the operation in bed, but I managed to get myself downstairs for the kids for Christmas Day, and I've been on the road to recovery ever since. I was lucky," he said.

In February, Kevin thankfully received the all-clear and was told that he was cancer-free. 

Now on the road to recovery, Kevin aims to spread as much awareness as he can to males of all ages - including his children and the children he coaches - about how important it is to regularly check their testicles for any lumps and bumps. 

"As for blokes, I think it puts a lot of them off because they think it's embarrassing. A friend of mine just put it off and put it off but he was diagnosed with stage four testicular cancer. But the key thing is, what would you rather do? You can either be embarrassed and not seek treatment, or not be here next week.”

Lincs Hire and Sales donated funds for the football kit, which was designed by OddBalls. 

For a helpful guide on how men can check their testicles - find it here.